Prasat Sa Kamphaeng Yai in Sisaket Province was built in the 11th century as a shrine dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. During the 13th century it was converted for use as a Mahayana Buddhist temple. Three towers, aligned on a north–south axis and facing east, were set on a raised platform and enclosed within a sandstone and laterite gallery, while two additional towers, similarly aligned, would likely have been sited behind the main towers, an arrangement similar to that found at Prasat Muang Tham in Buriram Province. Only one of the rearmost two has been reconstructed, however, resulting in a present asymmetrical arrangement. Several nicely carved lintels and pediments remain, in various states of deterioration.

Prasat Sa Kamphaeng Yai

A view of the exterior laterite gallery walls from the northeast. The main gopura, or entrance pavilion, is seen here in deep shade at far left.

The main gopura, to the right, with a subsidiary entrance on the left

A view inside the gallery that surrounds the temple

Another view inside the enclosing gallery

The laterite gallery walls were massive structures.

Door and window frames within the gallery were of sandstone.

View from inside the gallery. The structure in the left foreground is one of two 'library' structures, so called because they may possibly have been used to store manuscripts, though their actual purpose is unknown. Just to the right of that structure in the photo is the principal tower or prasat.

A small mandapa or entry pavilion was attached to the central sanctuary tower, as seen here. The tower itself has been largely reconstructed with new brickwork, as have the other current temple structures.

Within the central sanctuary, this lintel depicts the god Indra (whose head has been lost) on his traditional mount, the elephant Erawan. They are on a platform atop the fierce face of a kala demon, a threshold guardian.

A partial view of the three main towers, seen from the southwest

The south face of the central sanctuary and its false doorway. Access into the sanctuary was possible only from the eastern side of the tower.

The pediment and lintel over the false doorway on the south side of the central tower.

The carving on the pediment depicts a lordly Shiva and his consort Uma atop Shiva's traditional mount, the sacred bull Nondi. Uma's head has been lost.

The lintel on the central tower's south side depicts a scene from the Hindu classic Ramayana. The monkey god Hanuman, ally of Rama, has come to the island of Lanka to tell Rama's wife, Sita, that Rama is on his way to rescue her from her abductor, the evil Ravana.

The north side of the central tower

The pediment on the north side of the central tower depicts Krishna lifting Govardhana Mountain, with an indeterminate, well-worn scene below on the lintel.

The main towers seen from the northeast. (Only a sliver of the south tower is visible). An entrance gopura set in the south wall of the enclosing gallery is seen in the background.

A more recent Buddhist temple has encroached on the grounds surrounding Prasat Sa Kamphaeng Yai. Its assembly hall, viewed from inside the original Khmer sanctuary, provides an incongruous contrast to the early temple's somber laterite and sandstone walls.

One of the sanctuary's so-called 'library' structures, reconstructed, with a tower from the newer temple in the background

Two of the central towers of the ancient sanctuary and the assembly hall of the newer temple bathed in the warm light of a late-afternoon sun